Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Given the team's current roster construction, farm system, management, etc., how confident are you in the Yankees' overall future?

I’d like some bullpen help and a bat…but there’s no rush I guess. Although maybe more of a rush for bullpen help now that the starting rotation took a hit.

George Sherrill should be available soon after he refuses his minor league assignment; he’s the best low-hanging fruit I see. He’d replace Logan in the short term and duke it out with Logan and Marte in the long term to be the two LOOGYs on the playoff roster bullpen.

Some other options, grouped by their impending FA status and probable Elias ranking at season’s end since both likely play a large role in how their priced and what we should give up:

Type B but under team control for 2011:
Matt Capps, WAS
Brandon League, SEA
Carlos Villanueva, MIL

Under team control for 2011, no compensation:
Matt Lindstrom, HOU

———

I like the Gregg-Frasor-Sherrill-Dotel-Heilman grouping the best, as their teams (with the possible exception of the Blue Jays) shouldn’t be drastically overpricing those players since they’re not Type As and aren’t under team control after the year. We could probably trade for one or two without surrendering prospects of any considerable value, and then recoup the pick with a reasonably low-risk arbitration offer that’s likely to be declined this winter.

And then there’s the Brett Myers option as well, which may be the best idea overall. He’s currently on pace to be neither a Type A or Type B (as part of the NL SP pool), so maybe (maybe) Houston would price him reasonably… but I doubt it.

Rose

Do you think Cashman will look around for another Nady-Marte style deal? To fill both “holes” so-to-speak? Or does he do them separately? or just the bullpen?

steve (do)

Qualls LaRoche? Qualoche?

Doubt this happens again, but who knows…

Rose

Wouldn’t be bad…but who would have to be given up for that?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9370232 Mike HC

Qualls has been horrific. The DBacks should pay us to take Qualls.

Slugger27

qualls fip = 4.04
qualls xfip = 3.47
qualls career xfip = 3.45

qualls 2010 era = 8.33

/joba’d

Tampa Yankee

Have been at a 9 for some time now. Still waiting for Girardi to start “sending messages” to AJ and Jeter though.

What message would you like him to send Jeter, specifically? A change in batting order (which I can see as arguable) or a benching (which I see as ludicrous, considering the options of who would replace him).

7- Losing Pettitte is huge. Still have to worry about a very inconsistent AJ. The BP is still an issue. It will be interesting to see how they navigate through the next 6 weeks or so.

Chris

I think people are making too much of losing Pettitte. The longer estimate for time missed is 5 weeks or 35 days. That means he will likely miss about 6 starts. Sure it will hurt, but you’re probably looking at the difference between going 4-2 in those 6 games vs 3-3 with Mitre starting. Even if he misses a few more starts, the impact is only going to be a couple of games, and keeping him more rested for the playoffs is potentially a nice side benefit.

Tampa Yankee

If I’m looking at the schedule right, his next 2 starts would have been KC and CLE so those are good teams for Mitre to line up against and still have us come out on top.

I’m betting he’s out longer than 4-5 weeks. Yanks always underestimate the length of time a player is out. Plus, a groin injury is something you just don’t rush.

Chris

Curtis Granderson had a grade II strain (so it was nominally worse than Pettitte) and he came back 27 days after his injury. Obviously, there are lots of differences between the two, but I don’t think 4-5 weeks is an unrealistic estimate.

Jorge

They would be an extremely fortunate team if they have to go through this even once in the course of a 162-game season. This is when the “unlikely hero” is supposed to step up. It’s not where you go and trade for Roy Oswalt or Ted Lilly as a four-week solution.

Unchanged from “9.” I am confident the small moves that are needed to prepare for the stretch run will occur. I am confident in the current team to step up when needed. I’m excited by the options presented in both the lower and higher levels of the minor league system. No need to go lower than this.

Jorge

Too early to figure out whatever grammatical error I made in the first sentence. Hopefully, the point shines through. :)

His name is Sergio Mitre, and he’s gonna give us 4 quality starts in the next month.

/crystalball’d

jsbrendog (returns)

and i will feel wonderful since i have been defending him since day 1 against the “meat tray” ers.

A.D.

8, probably would have moved up to 9 but injury to Pettitte holding me back.

Klemy

Exactly how I felt about it, whether it’s fair or not. The argument that Andy being out might not be that costly for us is possible, but ti doesn’t make me feel any better. I like our schedule coming up to put some distance on TB and BOS.

CS Yankee

9…

The bullpen was really good yesterday against a solid team.

Bummer that Pettitte will miss 3-5 weeks but that might not equate to many losses as the team is facing a weaker part of the schedule.

AJ has been given a pass…Javy was treated like a probation arm until he corrected, maybe AJ’s ego won’t allow the same…a definite concern.

Andy wasn’t likely to win 20 anyways…we need him come October though.

We can all wish for differnt things like Jeet/teix/Granderson/Joba playing up to our expectations, but having the best record and finding ways to win like yesterday should make us all realize that we have the best team.

/icingontheicing’d

JohnnyC

Yes, this is all well and good…but it’s overkill. Just once, as a fan, I’d like to see the Yankees win a championship with the Kansas City Royals roster. That would be exciting!

Also, don’t forget that last year’s team had Mitre/Gaudin/Wang/Aceves make 25 starts last year. As long as the other guys stay healthy, all will be fine.

CS Yankee

Agreed…

but if it was going to happen this has to be the best time for it, due to the following;

1) They have added a little space from TB/BoSox
2) Easier part of the schedule.
3) Trade deadline is still open (not that they should though)
4) It is just past the middle and he will have plenty of time to come bach slowly.
5) If it were late September (with a 5 game lead) and this happened, the run would be so much more of a concern.

It would have been cool to see him score a couple of easier W’s and go for 20 though (ala Moose).

Stuckey

Rex Sox play 20 of the next 27 on the road.

They’re really going to have to pull off a magic act to stay in this race by August 15th.

JohnnyC

That’s one thing the MSM didn’t understand about how the Sox stayed in contention in the first half — they played the most home games of any AL team. Now turnabout is fair play and they’re playing the most road games in the second half.

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Oh, totally agreed with everything here. Plus, he’ll hopefully be fresher for the playoffs and stuff. I just have Andy withdrawal already, that’s all. ;_;

And yes, I can’t help it, I wanted to see him win 20 this year (really, 21, so he could have 250 wins).

vin

I gave my first 10 of the season in honor of the Boss. The man was nothing if not confident.

Jorge

Kicking myself for not doing the same. :)

http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering

8. I know I might sound crazy but I have this special feeling that first place in the AL East is not going to be relinquished for the rest of the season.

Arman Tamzarian

9, I’m really looking forward to the Double and Triple A rotations over the next year and a half. It’s going to be the first time where the rotations have mulitple legitimate starting options as prospects

theyankeewarrior

I vote 2.

Pettitte is injured.

Joba can’t go more than one inning.

Girardi makes too many pitching changes.

Burnett’s hand

A-Rod hits only tack-on HR’s. Unclutch. Selfish.

Granderson isn’t a true Yankee. Jackson is on fire.

We blew it by not offering Nova and Romine with Jesus for Lee.

2010 Yankees = BUST

Jorge

Should have made it a “1.” The Boss can’t send his pep talk message through Howard Rubenstein when it all goes down.

Tom Zig

You forgot Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

And Melky. He’s better than Granderson!!!

(actual intelligent people have said this.)

http://mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

And Melky. He’s better than Granderson!!!

(actual intelligent people have said this.)

People may have said that but I question their intelligence.

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

You know, this is an excellent point

Slugger27

why not sign eric byrnes? that dude wears his heart on his sleeve! he really loves playing the game!

A.D.

The problem is people make that 2010 Granderson is worse than 2009 Melky thus far, which is true, however, 2010 Melky is far worse than 2009 Melky or 2010 Granderson, thus when they try to make the parallel that Granderson is worse than Melk they’re comparing Granderson to a mythical Melky which doesn’t exist this year.

theyankeewarrior

Yes, and they also ignore the fact that Granderson could very well struggle all season and then break out in 2011, etc.

His upside is why Cash acquired him. Melky and Jackson looked like league average/slightly above league average players and C-Grand put up two full seasons that they will probably never approach.

theyankeewarrior

Damon, Matsui & Melky are PrOvEN. Granderson and Gardner have not come through in OCTOBAH. This is what will come back to haunt Cashman.

http://mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

We blew it by not offering Nova and Romine with Jesus for Lee.

Reminiscent of not trading IPK and Melky for Johan.

theyankeewarrior

***Disclaimer***

Someone actually voted 2. It was not me.

Tom Zig

Your list did leave out Matsui and Damon though. You hit everything else though. Well done.

theyankeewarrior

Yup. That and their lack of walk-off hits. This season they are hitting a lot of grand slams which look good on the back of their baseball cards, but walk-offs are more important!

steve s

I voted a 9 as wiping that smirk off of Maddon’s face was enjoyable and confidence building. My 2 cents on how to handle losing Andy for awhile is that I’d rather give David Phelps a shot (second coming of Mel Stottlemeyer circa 1964?) than trade him for the Ted Lilly’s of the world.

JohnnyC

I’d really be interested in seeing how Phelps does in the majors. He doesn’t have elite stuff – no plus-plus pitches or “out” pitch – despite getting his velo up to 92-94 consistently. Apparently his command is superb. Does that translate? If he’s a 4 or 5, that’d be good enough.

A.D.

Personally I’d like to see Mitre to the pen and then give Nova a shot, followed by Phelps if Nova doesn’t pitch well. However realistically it’s probably going to be Mitre getting the starting spot.

theyankeewarrior

I’m excited to see Nova progress. I saw him make a start in Rochester from the front row and his arm action is so effortless.

He was hitting 92 on the gun and it looked like he is still warming up.

I think as he gains more experience and develops more comfort with his body (he’s still filling out) and command, he will be able to dial it up into the mid 90’s easily.

B-Rando

I think something thats kind of been missed on the Petitte injury is Phil Hughes’ role. Hughes has got to step up here and take on that #2/3 starter role. AJ is so unpredictable right now. Javy has been rock solid, so we need to hope he stays as is. If Mitre is our guy for Petitte’s spot, we can’t expect too much (although I’m confident he is ready to silence some of the doubters). It comes down to Hughes…If he can provide stable outings for the next month or so, they Yanks can weather this storm. However, If he falters, we could be looking at CC and Javy as the only 2 reliable starters we have.

Just something to think about.

rek4gehrig

Still at 8 (despite losing Andy with the great neck muscles)…a “real” 8 inning guy, then I’m 9 all the way

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

He does have great neck muscles.

Just think, guys, you get to miss me being all gross about Andy and babbling on about face grits or whatever in the Game Threads for a month. Now whether that makes you lower or bump up your fan confidence rating is up to you.